This CNN article on Kerry and Fonda is a tad misleading. I'm sure it wasn't intentional.
But the president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation, Bobby Muller, said Kerry has strong support among Vietnam vets.
"We have been contacted by veterans across the country [asking], 'How do I connect to the Kerry campaign?'" he said. "I have not seen in the 26 years that I've been in Washington, ever, the kind of dynamic and energizing of a Vietnam veteran community in this country as I am right now."
At first I thought this was the organization Vietnam Veterans of America, but it's not. The purpose of the VVA is what you'd expect:
The purpose of Vietnam Veterans of America's national organization, the state councils, and chapters is:
* To help foster, encourage, and promote the improvement of the condition of the Vietnam veteran.
* To promote physical and cultural improvement, growth and development, self-respect, self-confidence, and usefulness of Vietnam-era veterans and others.
* To eliminate discrimination suffered by Vietnam veterans and to develop channels of communications which will assist Vietnam veterans to maximize self-realization and enrichment of their lives and enhance life-fulfillment.
* To study, on a non-partisan basis, proposed legislation, rules, or regulations introduced in any federal, state, or local legislative or administrative body which may affect the social, economic, educational, or physical welfare of the Vietnam-era veteran or others; and to develop public-policy proposals designed to improve the quality of life of the Vietnam-era veteran and others especially in the areas of employment, education, training, and health.
* To conduct and publish research, on a non-partisan basis, pertaining to the relationship between Vietnam-era veterans and the American society, the Vietnam War experience, the role of the United States in securing peaceful co-existence for the world community, and other matters which affect the social, economic, educational, or physical welfare of the Vietnam-era veteran or others.
* To assist disabled and needy war veterans including, but not limited to, Vietnam veterans and their dependents, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans.
The organization mentioned in the article, however, is the Vietnam Veterans for America Foundation, who describe themselves thusly:
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) is an international humanitarian organization that addresses the causes, conduct and consequences of war through programs of advocacy and service for victims of conflict around the world.
VVAF has been at the forefront of organizations committed to international peace and justice for more than two decades.
I can see why an organization such as the VVAF would support Kerry. What I don't understand is why this memberless, chapterless organization was contacted for comment as opposed to the large regular Vietnam Veterans group.
Posted by floridacracker at February 11, 2004 09:36 PM